Daily News from New York, New York • 133

DAILY NEWS mzmassga EH Thursday. Februa-y 6. 19SS ft 11 BSD' E9s Wgw By 30AN SHEPARD Manhattan Cultural Aftars Ecnor For the third time within two years, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will begin deliberations today on an application from St Bartholomew's Church, which is seeking a permit to lease part of its landmark-designated property to a real estate developer who would build a 47-story tower at the prestigious location. Construction of an office tower would mean the demolition of the church's community house and part of the garden, all of which is under the jurisdiction of the city's landmark's law. The Byzantine-Romanesque style Episcopal Church, at 50th St.

and Park once the city's leading society church, was designated a landmark in 1967. Voted in 1981 Since 1981 when the church's parish voted 375 to 354 in favor of real estate development, one of the city's most intense landmarks fights perhaps the biggest since the battle over Grand Central Station has been fought After today's session, the commission will hold two sessions on the church's hardship application at 9:30 a-m. on Feb. 11 and Feb. 18 at its headquarters, 20 Vesey St According to city law, the commission must vote on St Bart's application on or before Feb.

24. "This is not just a fight over St Bartholomew's Church," said J. Sinclair Armstrong, chairman of the Committee to Oppose the Sale of St Bartholomew's, "but over the landmarks law. If the commission finds that val by the commission. "I don't think the commission is sympathetic to us." he said.

I never felt they cared. It's too politicized." Bowers and his attorney. John Zuccotti. a former deputy mayor, have repeatedly said that if they lose before the Landmarks Commission, they will take the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where they feel they will win on constitutional grounds of separation of church and state.

The commission has ended the public hearing on St Bartholomew's, and though the executive sessions are open to the public, no public testimony will be accepted. Commission chairman Gene Norman said that the St Bartholmew's case was the most intense and complicated during his rwo-anda half-year chairmanship. St Bartholomew's has a hardship, then the law is a dead letter." Armstrong, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and executive vice president of S. Trust of New York, added, "We submitted a statement from the church's custodial bank, U.S. Trust of New York, that its value of its securities is $12.6 million and in 1935 increased in value by $1.3 million." 431 annually Church officials at St Bart's claim that proceeds from leasing the land which amounts to $4 million annually for 99 years would enable them to continue their social services programs.

But Rev. Thomas Dix Bowers, rector of St Bartholomew's, said yesterday he is not optimistic about the church's chances for appro 1 Coard spots Any New Yorker interested in becoming a new member or being reappointed to one of Manhattan's 12 Community Boards should contact Michael Kharfen at 669-8162. The deadline is Monday, Feb. 10. To qualify, prospective board members must either live or work in the area of the community board they wish to join, and they should be prepared to attend a minimum of three meetings a month.

Theater gala Pan Asian Repertory Theater will celebrate its ninth anniversary year on Friday with a gala benefit, "The Year of the Ninth," at the Silver Palace Restaurant, 52 Bowery. After cocktails at 6 p.m., a 10-course Chinese banquet will be served, and "The Return of the Phoenix," a critically acclaimed one-hour adaptation of an ancient Chinese opera, will be performed. Tickets for the event are $45; patron tickets are $100. For information, call 505-5655. ftlemorial talk Author and political scientist Charles E.

Silberman will deliver the Jonah B. Wise Memorial Lecture of 1986 at 8:15 p.m. Friday at the Central Synagogue, Lexington Ave. at 55th St Concert slated Music of Argentina and Colombia will be presented as part of the "Voices of the Americas" series at 8 p.m. Saturday at Washington Square Church, 135 W.

Fourth St Rodolfo Dalera and Francisco Navarro will sing their native songs in duet, while accompanying themselves on the guitar. Admission is $10. For information, call 362-3366. BOYS FordhamPrep Speliman Seward Park 75 62 82 67 77 67 69 59 70 15 69 31 Queens Vocational Walden School New Lincoln GIRLS Jane Addams Evander Msgr. Scanlan St.

Catherine Christ the King St Edmund's For latest scores and details, see page M3 ston the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space compared to a ship that trying to reclaim its spot from gate receipts, according to Sowinski. In its first year of operation it opened in 1982 it attracted about 800,000 visitors. Then, the numbers dwindled to about 350,000 visitors each year, including 100,000 school children. The other two thirds comes from donations, grants, and special events or fund-raising dinners. But late last month, the museum was designated a National Historic Landmark and, although the status carries no financial award with it, it does recognize the Intre-pid's place in U.S.

history for its World War II battles. Steinberg said that although the designation is not the answer to the Intre-pid's financial need, it is hoped that this will be a positive step in drawing visitors. Part of the blame for the Intrepid's financial state can be indirectly pinned on the delay in the development of the West Side, particularly the Jacob Javits Convention Center, which is due to open April 1. almost two years behind schedule. Delay is harmful "If the Convention Center fiscal By BARBARA UPPMAN Da i News Wr.ier The current state of Museum could perhaps has lost its mooring and at the dock.

Since last July, the legendary aircraft carrier at W. 46th St and 12th Ave. has gone through several major events that will undoubtedly determine the future of the 41-year-old Navy ship. Some have roiled the waters it sits on and others have calmed them. i The first event occurred last July when the museum foundation filed for bankruptcy in Manhattan Federal Court.

The action came as no surprise, according to Larry Sowinski, the acting director of the museum. "For the past Vz years," he said, "we had been announcing the financial problem we were having." Scott Steinberg, a lawyer for the museum, said the primary reason for the museum's bankruptcy filing was, "Its indebtedness to bondholders exceeded $16 million." Not enough revenues from gate receipts and other special events left the foundation "with no alternative but to file Chapter 11 (bankruptcy)," he added. Third from receipts Roughly one third of the museum's money comes be is i 1 i -11 i i t. t' COMBAT INFORMATION had opened two years ago, it would have possibly saved us from Chapter 11," said Zachary Fisher, the chairman of the Intrepid. The center would have had a positive effect in drawing more visitors because of its proximity to the Intrepid.

And plans are being worked on for a big July Fourth weekend in the centennial year for the Statue of Liberty. i 'r i 'A t. I I -J center on the Intrepid. JACK StTM ZK" Although some renovations have gone full speed ahead, such as the completion of a Naval Reserve Center, long term projects have been put on hold for a while. But museum officials said they are not worried about the future of the Intrepid.

"Im on the upbeat for t.e museum." Fisher said. "I still feel that it will never close.".